In almost every corner of Finland, you can encounter Luja's construction projects, housing, commercial and office construction, or urban and real estate development. The member company of the Building Construction Industry of Eastern Finland of the Year has taken an active role as an actor developing the entire sector, without forgetting to invest in occupational safety and open dialogue.
The Luja Group's over 70-year history includes a wealth of references and several important milestones.
Lujatalo values the Member Company of the Year award
Lujatalo Eastern Finland Division Manager Heikki Jalkanen and Regional Director of Savo-Karelia and Central Finland Matti Pätynen convey the gratitude of the Lujalainen for the Member Company of the Year award granted by the Construction Industry of Eastern Finland to Lujatalo Oy: "We appreciate the honor we have received very much, especially when we know that construction professionals and colleagues are behind it. We accept this with humility."
Matti Pätynen reflects on the factors that have made Lujatalo worthy of an award this year in the eyes of the Building Construction Industry: “Participation in the board work of the Building Construction Industry's Eastern Finland district, as well as cooperation and open dialogues with parties participating in various construction projects, occupational safety, cooperation with educational institutions and an active role as an actor developing the entire construction industry,” he lists.
""We at Lujatalo have strict criteria and goals when it comes to occupational safety," Pätynen assures, adding that the company brings them up in the board of the Eastern Finland District of the Finnish Building Industry Association and in joint meetings of various construction industry players, and whenever possible. This is a concern for improving occupational safety in the entire construction industry and for the reputation of the industry.
Heikki Jalkanen agrees with Pätynen. The strong, constructive cooperation with construction industry players, clients, authorities and educational institutions has received the attention it deserves.
Lujatalo has participated in the “Successful Construction Project through Collaboration” projects organized in both Northern Savo and Northern Karelia, through which the Construction Industry challenged clients and consultants with the aim of reducing obstacles related to competitive bidding. “The projects launched by the Construction Industry RT have been very welcome in our regions,” Jalkanen states. “We have also achieved results.”
Luja has also been involved in various market dialogues and, for example, in the Kuopio planning workshops, where the company, in collaboration with others, has been drawing up the rules of the game for the sector, bringing its views and opening discussions. “Through these activities, we want to have an impact together, not just as Luja, but as one player in the construction industry. Let’s use a common voice in these forums.”
Roots deep in the Ostrobothnian heartland
When Heikki Jalkanen started working at Lujatalo 29 years ago, he received a printed “Strong Values” poster for his office wall. The values are from 70 years ago, Felix Isotalon Feliks Isotalo was a farmer, a police officer and an agricultural merchant from Alahärmä, who founded a cement foundry manufacturing pipes and tires, Lujabeton, in 1953. That was the beginning of the Luja story. With his perseverance, open-mindedness in developing ideas, new products and machines, and anticipating customer needs, he created a solid foundation for a family business seeking growth and development.
The values that guided the direction of the company's operations during the time of Feliks Isotalo still live on in the company. "We have been able to bring the values into daily operations," says Jalkanen. "They are easy to internalize and it has been easy to commit to them."
The values have remained almost unchanged for decades and have played an important role in driving the Luja Group to become one of the largest construction companies in Finland. Despite economic fluctuations, Lujatalo has been able to maintain a high level of equity and solvency. A couple of years ago, Lujatalo celebrated its 70th anniversary.
Third generation family business
In addition to housing production, Lujatalo focuses on the construction of office and commercial premises, public spaces, hospitals, educational institutions and daycare centers. The group also has its own units for the implementation of line renovation and renovation projects. In the Eastern and Central Finland regions, contract projects range from 50 euros to 000 million euros.
Today, Luja is a third-generation family business that employs approximately 1600 people. In addition to Lujatalo, the Luja companies include the concrete industry company Lujabetoni Oy and the mortar, sand and coating products manufacturer Fescon Oy. The group's turnover is approximately 627 million euros. Lujatalo has regional units in the regions of Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Southeast Finland, Savo-Karelia and Central Finland, Southwest Finland, Ostrobothnia and Northern Finland.
A long list of projects built by Lujatalo have recently been completed in Savo-Karelia and Central Finland, examples of which include Servica's new premises, the new construction project for the Joensuu Music Conservatory, the changes in the purpose of the Konttinen business building and the Turo factory to residential use, the expansion and renovation projects for Mikkeli Central Hospital, and the Valkeisenlampi regional construction area in Kuopio, which received the Pihakivi award, with its many new and renovated buildings. As life cycle projects, Lujatalo has implemented, among others, a health center in Siilinjärvi and a social and health care center in Varkaus.
RT membership brings many benefits
Lujatalo Oy has been a member of the Finnish Building and Construction Industry Federation (RT) practically since the founding of the central organization. Luja sees one of the most important benefits of belonging to the organization as being the opportunity to influence.
Industry Director Heikki Jalkanen emphasizes cross-border openness so that industry players can openly discuss with each other and develop the construction industry together. Through open construction sites, representatives of RT's member companies have the opportunity to get to know the construction sites of other member companies and share good practices. "You can also see the philosophy of transferring knowledge there."
Jalkanen also believes that occupational safety competitions are an important way for RT to maintain and develop occupational safety in the industry. “Lujatalo has participated in them every time they have been organized.”
“Membership helps us stay up to date with developments in the industry. We are among the first to receive information,” says Division Director Jalkanen. One of the concrete examples of recent opportunities for RT members to influence the industry is the opportunity to provide statements on the revised Construction Act and the regulations currently being prepared for it, Jalkanen says.
Strong work in the future too
The construction industry is currently experiencing an exceptional economic situation. We are used to cyclical fluctuations. Like other construction industry players, Lujatalo has experienced both ups and downs.
“Despite everything, Lujatalo intends to continue to be a significant builder in the Eastern and Central Finland region,” assures Division Director Heikki Jalkanen.
Text: Heikki Luukkonen